búho
/ˈbuo/masculine
The Spanish word for owl is búho. Wiktionary also lists lechuza and tecolote.
Meaning: bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| búho | /ˈbuo/ | masculine |
| lechuza | /leˈt͡ʃuθa/ /leˈt͡ʃusa/ |
feminine |
| tecolote | /tekoˈlote/ | Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, masculine |
| mochuelo | /moˈt͡ʃwelo/ | Spain, masculine |
| autillo | /auˈtiʝo/ | Spain, masculine |
| cárabo | /ˈkaɾabo/ | Spain, masculine |
| sijú cotunto | /sixu kotunto/ (from spelling rules) | Cuba, masculine |
| caburé | /kabuˈɾe/ | Argentina, masculine |
| chuncho | /ˈt͡ʃunt͡ʃo/ | Argentina, Chile, masculine |
| anteojo | /anteˈoxo/ | Peru, masculine |
| tucúquere | /tuˈkukeɾe/ | Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, masculine |
The term for owl varies depending on the specific species being described and the region you are in.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean owl, búho is the general term used for many different species, whereas lechuza specifically refers to screech owls or barn owls.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Several regional terms exist: tecolote is used in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. mochuelo, autillo and cárabo are used in Spain. sijú cotunto is used in Cuba. caburé and chuncho are used in Argentina. chuncho is also used in Chile. anteojo is used in Peru. And tucúquere is used in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word búho is a masculine noun, while lechuza is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbuo/
Did you know?
- The word lechuza is linked to the Spanish word for milk, leche, because of an ancient folk belief that owls would 'breastfeed' human infants during the night.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the lechuza is not just a bird but a figure in urban legends, often depicted as a witch who transforms into an owl.
- If you are in Peru, you might use the word anteojo to refer to an owl, which is the same word used for 'glasses' or 'spectacles'.
Examples in context
- ¡No soy un búho!I am not an owl!This sentence shows how to use búho in a negative statement.Tatoeba #3138596 by cueyayotl, translation #3138583 by Clic
- Eso era un búho real.That was an eagle owl.This sentence uses búho to identify a specific type of owl.Tatoeba #5391768 by albrusgher, translation #1610322 by human600
- La lechuza es lenta a pie.The owl is slow on foot.This sentence demonstrates the use of the feminine noun lechuza.Tatoeba #5391776 by albrusgher, translation #34368 by AlanF_US
- El búho es conocido por su sabiduría ancestral.The owl is known for its ancestral wisdom.
- Observé un búho posado en la rama de un árbol.I observed an owl perched on a tree branch.
- La lechuza es un ave nocturna muy interesante.The owl is a very interesting nocturnal bird.
- ¡Mira, una lechuza! Parece estar cazando.Look, an owl! It seems to be hunting.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are walking through a park at night.
- Daniel¡Mira, Lucía! Hay un búho en ese árbol.Look, Lucía! There is an owl in that tree.
- LucíaEs un búho muy hermoso.It is a very beautiful owl.
- DanielParece que está buscando comida.It looks like it is looking for food.
- LucíaQué suerte tenemos de verlo.We are so lucky to see it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owl” translations and entries búho, lechuza, tecolote, mochuelo, autillo, cárabo, caburé, chuncho, anteojo, tucúquere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries búho, lechuza, mochuelo, tecolote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
